Ramp system

ABSTRACT

A ramp system for bikers, skateboarders and skaters has first and second ramps arranged back to back, each ramp having first and second ends and an upper surface extending between those ends. A connection connects the first ends of the ramps so that the ramps form a cusp or peak and the second ends of the ramps are spaced-apart and define a plane spaced below the cusp or peak. Preferably, a coping rail extends along the cusp or peak to form a spine which may function as a grind rail.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to skate park and street play equipment for useby extreme sport enthusiasts such as skateboarders, skaters and bikers.It relates especially to a ramp system which enables such people toperform a variety of different aerial and acrobatic feats.

The various obstacles used by skateboarders, skaters and bikers includelaunch and landing ramps, grind rails, fly boxes and the like whichlaunch the riders into the air and enable them to perform variousacrobatic and aerial feats before returning to the ground eitherdirectly or via a landing ramp. However, there is a need for a rampsystem capable of providing each rider with another aerial capabilitywhich should increase his/her ability and enjoyment.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide a ramp systemfor bikers, skateboarders and skaters which enables such individuals toperform acrobatic feats not feasible with existing obstacles of thisgeneral type.

Another object is to provide such a ramp system which may be sold in aknock-down condition and assembled easily using only a screwdriver andwhich may subsequently be disassembled and reassembled without any toolsat all.

Another object is to provide a ramp system such as this which isrelatively easy and inexpensive to make in quantity.

A further object is to provide a modular ramp system which may beexpanded to any size by combining a plurality of similar modules.

Other objects will, in part, be obvious and will, in part, appearhereinafter.

The invention accordingly comprises the features of construction,combination of elements and arrangement of parts which will beexemplified in the following detailed description and the scope of theinvention will be indicated in the claims.

Briefly, our ramp system for bikers, skateboarders and skaters includesfirst and second ramps arranged back to back, each ramp having first andsecond ends and an upper surface extending between those ends. Aconnection connects the first ends of the ramps so that the ramps form acusp or peak and the second ends of the ramps are spaced apart anddefine a plane spaced below the cusp. Preferably, a rigid rail extendsthe widths of the ramps at the first ends thereof to define a spine orcoping rail and the upper surfaces of the ramps at the first endsthereof are generally tangent to that rail. Thus, skateboarders, skatersand the like can roll up one ramp, travel along the spine or coping railat the top of the system which thus functions as a grind rail and rolldown the same or the other ramp to the ground. Alternatively, he/she canroll up one ramp and be launched into the air and perform various aerialfeats before returning to the ground.

The system can be used by itself or constitute one of a series ofsimilar assemblies to enable a succession of skateboarders, skaters andthe like to perform a variety of different exercises.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the invention,reference should be made to the following detailed description taken inconnection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a ramp system incorporating theinvention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing the underside of aportion of the FIG. 1 system prior to its assembly;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary perspective view showing the mode of assemblingFIG. 1 ramp system, and

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary perspective view showing the underside of theFIG. 1 ramp system.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to FIG. 1 of the drawings, our ramp system 8 comprises alaunch ramp shown generally at 10 and a landing ramp showing generallyat 12, which ramps are interchangeable. The ramps are arranged back toback and have corresponding upper ends 10 a and 12 a which are connectedtogether to form a cusp or peak 14. The ramp lower ends 10 b and 12 bare spaced relatively far apart and define relatively sharp edges whichlie in a common plane. Thus, when the ramp system is placed on theground or other support surface, a rider rolling along the ground canride up one ramp and return to the ground via the other ramp.

Preferably, the ramp system includes a rigid coping rail or spine showngenerally at 14 at the upper ends of ramps 10 and 12. Rail 14 extendsthe entire widths of the ramps and it has a relatively large diameter,e.g. 2 inches, so that it can function as a grind rail for skateboardersand skaters using the system.

Preferably also, braces 16 are connected between ramps 10 and 12 belowrail 14 to prevent the ramps from spreading apart and to maintain therail 14 at a fixed elevation above the ground or other support surface.The rail 14 of a typical ramp system 8 that is 42 inches wide and 77inches long (i.e. between ends 10 b, 12 b) may be spaced about 22 inchesabove the ground.

Thus, a skater or skateboarder can be launched into the air via one ramp10, 12, grind along rail 14 and roll down the other ramp 12, 10. As weshall see, ramp system 8 may be connected on either side to similar rampsystems 8 as shown in phantom in FIG. 1 to form a row of ramp systems ofany width. Likewise, a plurality of such systems may be positioned onein front of the other to form a series of obstacles confronting skaters,bikers or the like.

Referring now to FIGS. 1, 2 and 4, each ramp 10, 12 comprises a pair ofidentical is ramp sections 22. Each ramp section has an upper wall 22 aand opposite depending side walls 22 b and 22 c. Lateral andlongitudinal ribbing 24 extends down from top wall 22 a forming a gridbetween the side walls of each ramp section 22 to rigidify that section.Preferably, the upper surface 22 a of each section defines a concavearc, and more specifically a spiral arc to optimize the launchingcharacteristics of each ramp 10, 12.

As best seen in FIGS. 2 and 3, the side wall 22 b of each section 22 isformed with a series of spaced-apart wedge-shaped keys 28 which projectout from that side wall and point toward the upper wall of the rampsection, each key having a projecting edge or nose 28 a. The oppositeside wall 22 c of each section 22, on the other hand, is formed with acompanion series of keyholes or notches 32 which are spaced along wall22 c so that when two sections 22 are placed side by side, the keys 28of one section can key into the keyholes or notches 32 of the adjacentsection so as to lock the two sections together.

Preferably, each ramp section side wall 22 c also has a gutter 34 alongits lower edge which is arranged to receive the lower edge of the sidewall 22 b of the adjacent ramp section 22 to hold together the loweredges of the side walls of the two adjacent sections. In addition,ideally the keyholes 32 are longer or higher than keys 28 so that whenassembling the two sections 22 of each ramp 10, 12 the side wall 22 b ofone section may be seated in gutter 34 of the other section and the twoside walls 22 b and 22 c brought together so that keys 28 projectthrough keyholes 32. The keyholes 32 also have a shorter offset or sidebranch 32 a which allows the two sections 22 to be slid relatively in alengthwise direction until the ends of the two sections are inalignment. This positions the nose 28 a of each key behind the portionof side wall 22 c defining the upper end of each keyhole side branch 32a, this locking the keys in their keyholes.

Not only do the keys 28, keyholes 32 and gutter 34 secure together theadjacent ramp sections 22 of each ramp 10, 12, they also permit theconnection of a ramp system 8 to an adjacent similar ramp system 8 asshown in phantom in FIG. 1.

As best seen in FIGS. 2 and 3, the upper end of each ramp section 22 isformed with a pair of tongues 42 which project out from that end atspaced-apart locations the-reacross. One of the tongues 42 is set infrom the side wall 22 c of the ramp section while the other tongue 42 iseven with the side wall 22 b thereof. This produces a pair of notches 44at that end of the ramp section, one notch 44 being located adjacent tothe side wall 22 c of the ramp section and the other notch being locatedbetween the two tongues 42 of that section.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, when two ramp sections 22 are positioned backto back, the tongues 42 of one section are disposed opposite the notches44 of the other section so that the former can be received in thelatter. Preferably, the tongues 42 are curved. More specifically, theinside surface 42 a of each tongue has cylindrical curvature with aradius that more or less matches that of the rail 14. This allows therail 14 to seat on the tongues of the two ramp sections 22 forming oneof the ramps, i.e. ramp 10 in the drawings, so as to bridge the notches44 in that ramp. As best seen in FIG. 2, the rail 14 may be secured tothe tongues of that ramp 10 by threaded fasteners 46 which are insertedthrough holes or passages 48 in tongues 42 and turned down into holes 50present in rail 14. When the rails are secured to the two ramp sections22 comprising ramp 10, the rail extends the entire width of that rampand bridges all of the notches 44 therein. If rail 44 constitutes atube, it is preferably provided within plugs or caps 14 a to close andfinish the ends of the rail.

Once rail 14 is secured to ramp 10, the other ramp, i.e. ramp 12, may bereleasably secured to ramp 10 by placing the ramp ends 10 a and 12 aopposite one another and spreading apart the opposite ends 10 b and 12 bof the ramps so that the two ramps are more or less flat as shown inFIG. 3. Then, the tongues 42 of ramp 12 may be inserted from below intothe notches 44 of ramp 10 behind rail 14. Preferably, the outer or undersurfaces 42 b of tongues 42 and the end walls 44 a of notches 44 arecurved correspondingly to facilitate this. When the ramp ends 10 b and12 b are brought closer together, rail 14 is raised up. This causes thetongues 42 to pivot around rail 14 to the position shown in FIG. 1wherein the tongues become locked in their notches just behind the railand the upper surfaces 22 a of all of the ramp sections 22 are orientedso that they are substantially tangent to rail 14 at the upper ends oframps 10 and 12. This relative position of ramps 10 and 12 is maintainedby the braces 16.

More particularly, as best seen in FIGS. 1 and 4, the opposite ends 16 aof each brace 16 is flattened and formed with a hole 54. The brace ends16 a are positioned against the undersides of the ramp sections 22 ofthe two ramps 10 and 12 at locations spaced below the rail 14. The braceends are held in place by flat-head bolts 56 inserted through holes 58in the top walls 22 a of the ramp sections 22 and through the holes 54in the brace ends. The bolts may be retained in place by wing nuts 60threaded onto the ends of the bolts as shown in FIG. 4.

While the illustrated ramp system 8 has only two braces 16, holes 58 areprovided adjacent both sides of each ramp section 22 as shown in FIG. 4,allowing the inclusion of additional braces 16 if needed.

Preferably, a non-skid foot 62, e.g. of rubber, is secured to theunderside of each ramp section 22 adjacent to the lower end thereof asshown in FIG. 4. The foot 62 projects somewhat below the lower edges ofribbing 24. Those feet thus firmly contact the support surface under theramp system 8 when the ramp 10 or 12 is under a vertical load thuspreventing the ramp system from shifting when in use.

The illustrated foot 62 is in the form of a cup which is pushed into acylindrical receiver 64 formed by radial rib features 24 a in theunderside of each ramp section 22.

When the ramp system 8 is not in use, it may be disassembled quiteeasily and without any tools simply by releasing each brace 16 from ramp12 by unscrewing the wing nuts 60 thereat. This allows the two ramps 10and 12 to be spread apart so that the tongues 42 of ramp 12 may pivotout of their notches 44 in ramp 14. Once the two ramps 10 and 12 areseparated, the ramp 12 may be broken down even more by separating thetwo ramp sections 22 comprising that ramp. This simply involves shiftingthe two ramp sections relatively so that the keys 28 of one ramp sectionare disengaged from the corresponding keyholes 32 in the other rampsection. Those sections can then be stacked on ramp 10 forming arelatively flat compact package which can be stored in a minimum amountof space.

It will thus be seen that the objects set forth above, among those madeapparent from the preceding description, are efficiently attained and,since certain changes may be made in the above construction withoutdeparting from the scope of the invention, it is intended that allmatter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanyingdrawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limitingsense.

It is also to be understood that the following claims are intended tocover all of the generic and specific features of the inventiondescribed herein.

1. A ramp system for bikers, skateboarders and skaters comprising firstand second substantially identical ramps arranged back to back, eachramp having first and second ends and an upper surface extending betweensaid ends, and a releasable connection connecting the first ends of saidramps so that the ramps form a cusp and the second ends of the ramps arespaced-apart and define a plane spaced below the cusp said connectionincluding a rigid exposed metal tube extending the widths of the rampsbetween said first ends thereof and which extends above said uppersurfaces to define a grind rail for the skateboarders.
 2. The systemdefined in claim 1 wherein the upper surfaces of said ramps defineconcave arcs.
 3. (Canceled).
 4. (Canceled)
 5. The system defined inclaim 1 and further including one or more braces extending between andconnecting said ramps each brace being at a location spaced below saidcusp.
 6. The system defined in claim 1 wherein each ramp includes firstand second ramp sections situated side by side, and one or moreconnections between the first and second ramp sections of each ramp. 7.The system defined in claim 1 wherein said connection also includes atleast one notch in the first end of each ramp, said metal tube beingmounted to the first end of the first ramp so as to bridge said at leastone notch therein, and at least one upwardly curved tongue extendingfrom the first end of each ramp, each said tongue being shaped anddimensioned so that when the second end of the second ramp is elevatedabove said common plane, the at least one tongue of each ramp may beinserted from below into the at least one notch of the other ramp behindthe metal tube whereby when the second end of the second ramp is swungdown to said plane, all of the tongues become releasably locked behindthe metal tube.
 8. The system defined in claim 7 wherein the metal tubeis substantially cylindrical and extends the full widths of said ramps,and the upper surfaces of the ramps are substantially tangent to saidmetal tube at said first ends of the ramps.
 9. The ramp system definedin claim 1 and further including a plurality of depending non-skid feetmounted to said first and second ramps adjacent to the second endsthereof.
 10. A ramp assembly for bikers, skateboarders and skaterscomprising first and second substantially identical ramps each ramphaving first and second ends an upper surface extending between said andat least one notch in the first end of the ramp; a rigid exposed railmounted to the first end of the first ramp so as to bridge said at leastone notch therein, each ramp also having at least one upwardly curvedtongue extending from the first end thereof, said at least one tongue ofeach ramp being shaped and dimensioned so that said at least one tongueof each ramp may be inserted from below into said at least one notch ofthe other ramp behind the rail so that when the second end of the secondramp is swung down about the rail, said at least one tongue of each rampbecomes releasably locked behind the rail and said rail is spaced abovea plane defined by the second ends of the ramps and constitutes anexposed grind rail for the skateboarders.
 11. The assembly defined inclaim 10 and further including a pair of braces extending between andconnecting said ramps at spaced-apart locations below said rail.
 12. Theassembly defined in claim 10 wherein each ramp includes first and secondramp sections situated side by side, and one or more connections betweenthe first and second ramp sections of each ramp.
 13. The assemblydefined in claim 10 wherein said rail is substantially cylindrical andextends the entire widths of the ramps, and the upper surfaces of theramps are substantially tangent to said rail at said first ends of theramps.
 14. The assembly defined in claim 6 wherein said one or moreconnections include a gutter at a first side of said first ramp sectionfor accepting a second side of said second ramp section, andinterfitting surfaces on said first and second sides for keying togethersaid first and second ramp sections.
 15. The assembly defied in claim 12wherein said one or more connections include a gutter at a first side ofsaid first ramp section for accepting a second side of said second rampsection, and intermitting surfaces on said first and second sides forkeying together said first and second ramp sections.